FAISALABAD, Oct 15: Food security threats can be checked through effective utilisation of available resources and technologies, development of land, monitoring the impact of climate change on water resources and improvement of water storage capacity.
This was said by University of Agriculture Faisalabad vice-chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmed while addressing the concluding ceremony of a two-day international seminar on `Modern approaches and techniques in agriculture to enhance food security in Pakistan.’
He said food protection could not be materialised without tackling the problems of water scarcity, shortage and escalation in the cost of energy and farm inputs, rapid climate change, biotic stresses, reduction of soil nutrients and increasing human population.
The VC urged scientists of the institution that results of pot experiments in a controlled atmosphere must be examined at farmers’ field so as to disseminate the viable technologies to growers of far-flung areas of the country. He also asked scientists for recommendations to meet the issues of food security for implementation by the federal as well as provincial governments as Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer called for a joint parliament session in this regard.
The university had arranged live video lectures of foreign experts to share food security related experiences with them.
Dr Iqrar said the facility was for the first time used during an international symposium which would be continued in future to interact with the praiseworthy experts of the world.
Earlier presenting the recommendations of the symposium, Faculty of Agriculture dean Dr Iftikhar Ahmad stressed the need for introduction of high efficiency irrigation techniques, proper marketing of the farm produce to ensure proper return to farmers, facilitation of workers and researchers for outreach experimentation and dissemination of applicable technologies, and strict implementation of quarantine laws and regulations to avoid the entry of potential seed borne pathogens or insects.
Dr Iftikhar said refinement in agronomic practices, availability of required inputs, farm machinery and fuel at affordable price and availability of financial loan at reduced rates to poor farmers were also essential for food security.